Hold onto your reusable straws, because TikTok has a new drink obsession—and no, it’s not another oat milk latte or some overpriced matcha.
This time, it’s dirty soda.
TikTokers are throwing cream into their sugar-laden soda and acting like it’s the second coming of beverage brilliance. But before you hit up your nearest drive-thru, let’s dive into what this fizzy concoction is all about.
What is a dirty soda?
A dirty soda is basically your standard soda (usually something like Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper) mixed with flavored syrups, a splash of cream—think coconut or vanilla—and sometimes a little lime.
It’s creamy, sugary, and 100% customizable to match your wildest soda dreams.
The drink didn’t start on TikTok—it’s been a thing in Utah for years. Many Mormons avoid alcohol, coffee, and tea due to religious guidelines, so they needed something else to sip on that didn’t break any rules.
Enter dirty sodas, the perfect sweet treat that’s non-alcoholic but still feels like an indulgence.
Utah-based soda shops like Swig and Sodalicious have been serving these bad boys for ages, and now their genius creations are finally getting the viral attention they deserve.
How dirty sodas went mainstream
Like many things that blow up on TikTok, dirty sodas had a little help from a celebrity. In December 2021, Olivia Rodrigo posted a photo with a dirty soda from Swig and fans took note.
Within weeks, the hashtag #dirtysoda was making the rounds, and suddenly, everyone wanted to get in on the action. TikTokers started sharing their own DIY versions, complete with flavor combos that would make a barista blush.
It’s now getting another viral boost from #momtok—specifically, from the new Hulu reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Is dirty soda good for you?
Dirty soda is about the furthest thing from healthy.
Sure, it’s is fun, Instagrammable, and undeniably tasty. But it’s not exactly the healthiest trend to hit your FYP.
For starters, people are ordering these things in massive sizes—like, we’re talking 44-ounce cups. Add in the syrups and cream, and you’ve got a drink that’s basically dessert in a cup. Even Layla Taylor from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives admitted she downs at least one 44-ounce soda a day.
“I’m probably only going to live to like 50, but it makes me happy,” she said on a recent episode.
Why is dirty soda so popular in Utah?
If you’re still scratching your head and wondering why soda is such a big deal in Utah, let’s break it down.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) encourages followers to avoid “hot drinks” like coffee and tea as part of its health code. While soda itself isn’t banned, it’s become the go-to indulgence for many Mormons.
And let’s be real, if you can’t have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee to unwind, why not go all out with a sugar-laden, cream-filled soda?
In Utah, soda shops like Swig and Sodalicious have become more than just places to get your caffeine fix—they’re community hubs where friends gather, gossip is shared, and you can customize your drink to your heart’s content. Dirty sodas are the crème de la crème of this soda subculture, blending the thrill of a sugar rush with the satisfaction of a customizable, guilt-free treat.
OK, it’s only guilt-free if you don’t think about the sugar inside.
The bottom line
Dirty sodas may have started as a local Utah thing, but thanks to the magic of TikTok, they’ve turned into a nationwide (if not global) phenomenon.
With endless flavor combos and that signature swirl of cream, it’s no wonder people are hooked. Just remember—maybe don’t make the 44-ounce a habit. Your dentist will thank you later.